Solenoid controlled valve



Oct. 8, 1946. F. J. RODE SOLENOID CONTROLLED VALVE Filed Oct. 1, 19.42 4Sheets-Sheet l FIGL INVENTOR. FREDRICH J. R005 BY 7 Z o ATTORNEYS.

0d. 8, 1946. J. RQDE SOLENOID CONTROLLED VALVE Filed Oct. 1, 1942 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR;

FREDRlC/j I Hopi BY J 7 v MM, Maw

A TTUFNEYS.

@ct. 8, 1946. F. J. RODE SQLENOID CONTROLLED VALVE Filed Oct. 1, 1942 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

FREDRICH J. RODE ATTORNEY$ F. J. RODE SOLENOID CONTROLLED VALVE FildOct. 1, 1942 4 Sheets-She t 4 INVENTOR. FREDRICH J. RODE ATTORNEYS;

Patented Oct. 8, 1946 FEFEC E SQLENQID CGNTRQLLEB VALVE Fredrich .l.Bode, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to E. W. Bliss Company, Brooldyn, N. Y, acorporation of Delaware Application October 1, 1942, Serial No. 460,42?

2 Glaims.

This invention is directed to improvements in solenoid operated valvemechanisms and the ge: eral object thereof is to provide an improvedarrangement of the elements of valve apparatuses which are utilizableparticularly in the machine tool art for controlling fluid pressurelines associated with various fluid operated mechanisms.

Difficulties have been experienced heretofore in the obtaining of asuitable solenoid valve mechanism which will be dependable throughoutprotracted periods of use of the machine tool of which the valvemechanism comprises a part. One instance is the pneumatic operation ofheavy duty clutches incorporated in large metal working presses. Iheoperating pressures required in such an environment are such that inmany instances. the usual type of solenoid operated valve does notfunction with sufficient exactitude or promptness to further the bestobtainable performance of the machine tool. In some instances a mainpneumatically operated valve controlled by an auxiliaiy solenoidopera-ted valve has been used.

Various other auxiliary features have been added to the usual valvemechanism to obtain the desired machine performance. which, whileproving satisfactory, nevertheless have complicated the manufacture andthe maintenance of an otherwise simple solenoid and simple valvemechanism.

t is the object of the present invention to simplify the construction ofsolenoid operated valves used in the above mentioned arts and to reduceto as few parts as possible all intermediate mechanisms between thesolenoid and the valve controlling the pressure line.

A further purpose is to provide a duplex valve structure wherein thevalve closing members, while arranged to be operated simultaneously orin unison. by a single solenoid mechanism, are relatively free to shiftinto a seating or valve closing position. This arrangement has theadvantage that it makes it easier to machine and assemble the valvemechanism since freely adjustable valve members do not require the sameamount of precision in both instances as is required .by the rigidmembers used heretofore.

A still further object of the present invention the provision of a valvemechanism of the character referred to, and comprising verticallyaligned valve parts which are alternately closed and opened by asolenoid mechanism acting upon spherically shaped metallic valve closingmembers which are free to move under the influence of gravity when thesolenoid mechanism is not energized.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed drawings and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain structure embodying theinvention, such disclosed structure constituting, however, but one ofvarious structural froms in which the principle of the invention may beused.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the solenoid case and the valve housing;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a section through the valve body;

Fig, a is a view, partly in section, of a modi fication of the valvecontrol mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is, partly in section partly in elevation, a view of yet anothermodified construction of the valve control mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2. the mechanism is shown to comprise a caselEl enclosing a, solenoid it having a coil l2. l3 designates a part ofthe armature to which a rod it is connected by a pin iii. Rod has areduced lower portion it which is received in a bore 18 of a pin H. Theupper portion of said bore i8 is wider so as to accommodate rod t ltherein. Pin ii is moreover shaped with two flanged ends it which servefor supporting two loop shaped ends 25 of a lever 29 which arejournalled thereon. lever 20 is with its other end 2i iour'nalled on ashaft 22 mounted in a boss of the casing 24 which encloses the entirevalve mechanism.

For enclosing the bottom portion of rod l6 and holding the partsassembled a sleeve 26 is provided, which is of the same diameter as rodportion it. A washer 2'? and a double locking nut 28 screwed to thethreaded bottom part ofrod portion it serve for fastening sleeve 28 tothe rod.

The valvecomprises cylindrical casing 36 which has a threaded branch 29for direct connection by an air pipe 31 to the clutch (not shown) orother pneumatically operated mechanism to be actuated by said valvmechanism. On the top of cylinder a valve chamber 32 is formed bycylindrical head 33 screwed to valve body Si as at 35. Chamber 32 has athreaded branch which connects a pipe 36 leading to a factory air line.llliounted between the end of head and ash-oulder 3? formed on body 38is a ring shaped valve seat 39 adapted to receive a ball valve whichabuts but is not fastened to the uper end of a'shaft ill. Ribs 43 on thein side wall of 33 serve guide means for the ball The shaft 8 isslidingly received in bushings li mounted in a cylinder 32 suitablysupported within the body 313 to form air passages therebetween. ShaftAll abuts second ball valve t l at its lower end. which valve is accomrho-dated in a valve chain-her to similar to the first mentioned chamberThe valve seat 46 corresponds to seat the enclosing cylinder 4'! to headpiece The bottom clincle'r is, however, provided with four openings Q3equally spaced around the circumference, and the' bottom end of cylinder41 has a central bore for receiving a plunger 5!) with a head plate 5|.The latter abuts ball valve 44 which is shown in the open position.Plunger 58 is in direct contact with a button 52 fastened to lever by apin 53. A finger 54 formed on said lever is adapted to bear on a stopscrew fastened to casing 24 at 58, thus limiting the rocking movement oflever 20 around pin 22.

The valve according to the invention is designed to apply or interruptpneumatic pressure to a clutch mechanism or other pneumaticallycontrolled mechanism; the solenoid is intended to operate the valve forthe above indicated action. Electrical energy to the solenoid coil maybe controlled either manually or automatically as desired by knownmeans, which do not form a part of the present invention and have,therefore, not been shown in the drawings.

The device operates as follows: When it is intended to apply the clutchmechanism, air from the pressure line of the plant has to be admittedfrom line 36 by unseating valve 38 and at the same time pushing valve 44onto its seat 46 allowing air to flow from the valve body through line3| leading to the clutch. To bring about the indicated movement ofvalves 44 and 38, pressure has to be applied to plunger 58 by button 52.This is done by energizing solenoid I2, causing the armature I3 and rodI5 to be lifted, which in turn makes lever 20 rock in upward directionand push button 52 against plunger 58.

If the clutch has to be disengaged the opposite sequence of movements isperformed. The solenoid is de-energized and, in consequence thereof,

the armature is released from within the coil and takes up the positionshown in Fig. 1. Rod I4, I6, moves downward, pushing lever 28 down aswell, button 52 moves away from plunger until finger 54 abuts on stop55. If plunger 50 no longer presses its head against ball 44, the latterwill drop under the influence of its weight down to the position shownin Fig. 3, while at the same time ball 38 is seated. Air may then bewithdrawn from the clutch through line 3|, chamber 45 and the exhaustholes 48.

Fig. 4 shows a somewhat modified construction of the valve mechanism andthe control therefor.

In this embodiment of the invention the case enclosing the solenoid isdesignated by 60. It is supported by a frame 6! to which the valve body62 is secured with a flanged portion 63 by screws 65. A rod 64 is indirect connection with the armature (not shown) and protrudes into acircular opening 66 of frame 6I.

Accommodated within the vertical portion of the valve body 62 adjoiningframe BI is a sleeve 68 which slidably receives a member 69 that acts asa connection between rod 64 and the valve members. Member 68 has aflanged top 18 directly bearing on the lower spherical valve member IIand another flange 12 which in the down position shown in the drawings,bears on the edge of the frame 6! and acts as a stop in the downwardmovement of, the valve. The lower end of member 69 is threaded 0n theinside to receive a threaded bushing 13; into this bushing a shortplunger I4 is fitted that has one end of a spring 15 fastened theretowhile the other end of the spring abuts on top III of member 69. Thespring acts as a cushion in the movement of valve member I I.

The connection between the two valve members II and 16 is made by a rod11, the lower end of which rests on ball H in the down position of thevalve, while the upper end contacts valve member 16 when the valve islifted into up position by the actuation of rod 64. A cross-shapedmember 18, mounted on a reduced portion 19 of rod 11 serves for guidingthe same in its vertical movement in a chamber 80, while providingchannels for the air to pass through. The wall of chamber at its upperend forms a valve seat for ball 16. A threaded branch M of valve body 62connects a pipe 82 leading to the factory air line, while anotherthreaded branch 83 of the valve body connects chamber 80 over pipe 84 tothe pneumatically operated clutch or the like. Exhaust holes 85 areprovided for withdrawing air in case the clutch or other pneumaticallyoperated mechanism is to be disconnected.

The operation of this mechanism is similar to the one illustrated inFigs. 1 to 3. When the clutch is to be applied air is admitted throughpressure line 82 to line 84 leading to the clutch. To bring this aboutvalve II is lifted from the down position into the up position, therebyunseating ball valve 16. To lift valve II the solenoid is energized, thearmature moved in upward direction, taking rod 64 along, which therebylifts plunger 14 and connecting member 69 for the desired actuation ofsaid hall.

For disconnecting the clutch the solenoid is deenergized and the abovedescribed movement of the valve members reversed thereby. As soon as rod64 returns to the position shown in Fig. 4 and member 69 is free todescend ball 16 will be seated, thereby shutting off the supply of airfrom the pressure line, while ball 1| will be unseated to open theconnection between line 84 and the exhaust holes. This returning of thevalves to starting position occurs under the influence of gravity, withspring 15 acting as a shock absorbing means.

In Fig. 5 a further modification is shown in which a pilot valve isarranged between the solenoid and the main valve, both valves being ofsimilar construction.

The main valve is enclosed in a casing which has a square portion 9| forattachment to a desired frame, as at 92. The valve enclosed in casing 90is ahnost identical with the one described with reference to Figs. 1 to3; there is only the difference in the connection between the two balls38 and 44 by rod 48 being interrupted in case the valve is in downposition for release which will be more fully explained below.

From line 36 a by-pass line 93 is branched off at 94 which connects to aport 96 cf the pilot valve, generally designated by I88. The pilot valveis housed in a casing IOI interposed between the solenoid and the mainvalve and attached to the machine frame at I02. The valve comprises anupper valve chamber I04 which re ceives a ball valve I525 and a lowerchamber I 85 which encloses a ball valve I81. For connecting the twoballs a member I08 is provided which is similar to the rod 11 with thecross-shaped arms I8, shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This member I08is slidable within a bore I89 connecting the two valve chambers. Apassage III leads from bore I09 to a cylinder H8 formed in casing IOI,which cylinder is adapted to receive a piston head mounted on plunger50. Passage III is normally closed at the free end I 03. while anexhaust opening I21 connects the lower valve chamber I06 with theatmosphere.

The piston head on plunger 50 comprises a plate II2 integrally formedwith said plunger and a metal plate H3 with a packing II4 interposedbetween the two plates; the parts are fastened together by a bolt 1 H5.

The diameter of the piston head has to be larger than that of the ballvalve seats and must be so chosen with respect to the latter that thepressure exerted on the surface of the head will suffice to lift ballvalve 4d and rod All and to overcome friction. Owing to the fact thatrod 40 does not contact ball 38 but has to traverse a certain spacebefore arriving there, a momentum will be gathered which will allow theunseating of ball 38. The exact ratio of the dimensions in question maybe easily found by computation.

The solenoid is of known construction and comprises a casing M8 on asupporting casting H9. The coil is designated by IZE, the armature by I2I. A rod I22, whose bottom end is in direct contact with the armature,is slidably received in a plug I23 screwed into a metal sleeve i2 3which encloses the armature I21. Screwed into the upper portion of plugI23 is another plug l25 which holds the upper part of rod H2 and by aflanged end caps the opening at the top of easing H8. The solenoid coil12s is insulated from the casing by disks I28 of rubber or otherinsulating material.

The top end of rod H2 is screwed into a sliding member H23 which abutsball valve ill? and serves for moving the same to up position.

The operation of the valve mechanism is the following: If a clutch orother pneumatically operated mechanism is to be actuated the solenoid isenergized and the armature lifted thereby. At the same time rod l22 ispushed upward and ball I61, by pressing member 568 against valve ball1M, effects unseating of the latter. This allows air to flow frompressure line Q3 over passage I I I into cylinder I 56 and to push thepiston head on plunger Eli to lift ball valve Ml. The clutch will thenbecome operative as described with respect to the valve mechanism shownin Figs. 1 to 3.

For declutching the solenoid is deenergized; thereby the armature isreleased to take up the position shown in Fig. 5, the controlled membersI22, I28, Ill? and 5,89, all taking a down position as well. Airpressure is thus shut off from line ill and cylinder H9, so that plungerill) will return to the down position actuated by gravity and will causethe shutting off of air pressure on the clutch and open the passage tothe exhaust holes. The cycle of operations is completed thereby.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that with a simpleand light construction of parts owing to the novel features of myinvention comprising the arrangement of dual valve mechanism withindependently alignable spherically shaped valves, a solenoid controlledvalve mechanism has been devised which functions with desired precisionand promptness and is, therefore, most dependable and satisfactory inits results.

Another advantage of the novel device is the greater safety for theoperator when handling the mechanism in the control of a machine tool.

By the vertical arrangement of the intake and exhaust valve parts withspherical valve members simultaneously operable as shown, a distinctsafety factor is inherent, in that should the intake valve member failto close direct connection of the compressed air source to the exhaustport takes place. This feature would, for example, prevent the operationof a machine tool should the intake valve member not close at thedesired time.

No springs are associated with the valve members, the latter beingoperated in one direction by solenoid actuation and in the oppositedirection by gravity and air pressure, thus effecting the elimination ofspring actuated valve members and attendant operating difficulties.Should there be failure in the operation of the solenoid itself for anyreason, the prompt closing of the intake valve part is assured, sinceits closing movement is not dependent upon the solenoid.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structureherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinct- 1y claim as myinvention:

1. A Valve mechanism adaptable for actuation by a solenoid mechanismcomprising a, valve casing; a pair of interconnected valve members insaid casing independently alignable and operated by mechanical pressurein one direction and by their own weight in the opposite direction;means loosely interposed between said valve members for transmittingforce from one of said valve members to the other valve member; aplunger reciprocable in said casing independently of said valve membersand receiving the weight of at least one of said valve members, saidplunger having an end adapted to be engaged by a moving member, such asa solenoid armature, for movement in one direction for actuating thevalve members; and means associated with said valve casing for limitingmovement of the plunger in the opposite direction for causingdisconnection of said plunger and moving member and for positioning oneof said valve members in one of its valve controlling positions.

2. A valve mechanism adaptable for actuation by a solenoid mechanismcomprising a valve casing; a pair of interconnected valve members insaid casing independently alignable and operated by mechanical pressurein one direction and by their own weight in the opposite direction;means loosely interposed between said valve members for transmittingforce from one of said valve members to the other valve member; aplunger reciprocable in said casing independently of said valve membersand receiving the Weight of at least one of said valve members, saidplunger having associated therewith a member extending from one endthereof and a yieldable element interposed between the last mentionedmember and the plunger, said extending member being engageable by amoving member, such as the armature of a solenoid, for causing theplunger to move in one direction for actuating the valve members; andmeans associated with said valve casing for limiting movement of theplunger in the opposite direction for causing disconnection of saidextending member and moving member and for positioning one of said valvemembers in one of its valve controlling positions.

FREDRICH J. RODE.

